2026 Applications are Open Now Through October 5th
Charlottesville Opera provides Ader Emerging Artists with an enriching way to enhance their professional careers. Singers have performance opportunities not only in mainstage productions at The Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville, VA but also in cover runs, performances in Broadway, Opera Greats, and New Music Concerts. Ader Emerging Artists will experience a wide array of training and performing experiences. The six-week program is geared towards singers who are just beginning their professional careers, finishing their undergraduate degrees, or working on a graduate degree.
2026 Summer Season:
"Cinderella" (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Ader Emerging Artists will have the opportunity to perform and/or cover leading, supporting, and comprimario roles. All Artists should be prepared to sing in the chorus. There will be a cover performance with piano.
"Il barbiere di Siviglia" (Rossini)
Ader Emerging Artists will have the opportunity to perform and/or cover leading, supporting, and comprimario roles. All Artists should be prepared to sing in the chorus. There will be a cover performance with piano.
Arts for All FestivALL - live outdoor concert with orchestra, chorus and dancers. Ader Emerging Artists will perform solos, duets, ensembles, and choruses from opera and musical theater.
Expectations
Ader Emerging Artists will be in residence in Charlottesville, VA from June 1 through July 20, 2026. This is a paid opportunity.
Ader Emerging Artists will receive up to $350 in travel reimbursement to and from Charlottesville. Reimbursement will be provided upon receipt of airfare, gas receipts, or credit card statement. Mileage reimbursements not included.
Host housing (private room/bath in a donor's home) will be provided. Charlottesville Opera only provides housing to participants and does not provide housing to spouses/partners, children, other relatives and/or pets.
Transportation to and from Charlottesville is the responsibility of the artist. Artists are encouraged to bring their own car. The company will work with artists to coordinate in town transportation if necessary. Charlottesville is a largely suburban area. Uber and Lyft services are not widely available. It is important to note that rehearsal spaces and housing assignments are not guaranteed to be within walking distance and public transit in Charlottesville is not consistent or available in some locations. Artists are encouraged to bring their own car.
Audition Requirements
First round auditions will be via video submission for the 2026 season.
A total of two video selections are required: one aria and one musical theatre piece.
Call back auditions will be on December 1 and 2, 2025 in NYC or by Zoom on December 3 and 4, 2025. Additional dates and locations not available. In lieu of a live audition, Artist may request to have their video submissions considered. This is not encouraged.
Applications will be solely via YAP Tracker and are due by end of day October 5, 2025.
2026 Summer Season:
"Cinderella" (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Ader Emerging Artists will have the opportunity to perform and/or cover leading, supporting, and comprimario roles. All Artists should be prepared to sing in the chorus. There will be a cover performance with piano.
"Il barbiere di Siviglia" (Rossini)
Ader Emerging Artists will have the opportunity to perform and/or cover leading, supporting, and comprimario roles. All Artists should be prepared to sing in the chorus. There will be a cover performance with piano.
Arts for All FestivALL - live outdoor concert with orchestra, chorus and dancers. Ader Emerging Artists will perform solos, duets, ensembles, and choruses from opera and musical theater.
Expectations
Ader Emerging Artists will be in residence in Charlottesville, VA from June 1 through July 20, 2026. This is a paid opportunity.
Ader Emerging Artists will receive up to $350 in travel reimbursement to and from Charlottesville. Reimbursement will be provided upon receipt of airfare, gas receipts, or credit card statement. Mileage reimbursements not included.
Host housing (private room/bath in a donor's home) will be provided. Charlottesville Opera only provides housing to participants and does not provide housing to spouses/partners, children, other relatives and/or pets.
Transportation to and from Charlottesville is the responsibility of the artist. Artists are encouraged to bring their own car. The company will work with artists to coordinate in town transportation if necessary. Charlottesville is a largely suburban area. Uber and Lyft services are not widely available. It is important to note that rehearsal spaces and housing assignments are not guaranteed to be within walking distance and public transit in Charlottesville is not consistent or available in some locations. Artists are encouraged to bring their own car.
Audition Requirements
First round auditions will be via video submission for the 2026 season.
A total of two video selections are required: one aria and one musical theatre piece.
Call back auditions will be on December 1 and 2, 2025 in NYC or by Zoom on December 3 and 4, 2025. Additional dates and locations not available. In lieu of a live audition, Artist may request to have their video submissions considered. This is not encouraged.
Applications will be solely via YAP Tracker and are due by end of day October 5, 2025.
APPLY HERE
FAQs
Am I able to substitute a second aria in lieu of the Musical Theatre piece?
Yes, you may submit a second aria in place of a Musical Theatre selection if needed. While we encourage including a piece with a more contemporary style—such as a modern aria or something by a 20th-century American composer—we understand that not everyone has this repertoire readily available. If you choose to submit two arias instead, rest assured this will not affect your consideration for our program.
Please note: If you are invited to a callback audition, you should be prepared to perform a Musical Theatre selection at that time.
Are previous Emerging Artists expected to reapply and reaudition this fall to be considered for next summer’s season?
Yes, former Ader Emerging Artists should complete a YAP Tracker application and may be asked to attend a live callback to be considered for the upcoming season.
What should I do if I need to update my audition materials?
Please email our Artistic Administrator, Hayley Kukulis, at [email protected] with any application change requests.
Yes, you may submit a second aria in place of a Musical Theatre selection if needed. While we encourage including a piece with a more contemporary style—such as a modern aria or something by a 20th-century American composer—we understand that not everyone has this repertoire readily available. If you choose to submit two arias instead, rest assured this will not affect your consideration for our program.
Please note: If you are invited to a callback audition, you should be prepared to perform a Musical Theatre selection at that time.
Are previous Emerging Artists expected to reapply and reaudition this fall to be considered for next summer’s season?
Yes, former Ader Emerging Artists should complete a YAP Tracker application and may be asked to attend a live callback to be considered for the upcoming season.
What should I do if I need to update my audition materials?
Please email our Artistic Administrator, Hayley Kukulis, at [email protected] with any application change requests.
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226 E. High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 • 434-293-4500 • [email protected]
© Charlottesville Opera 2025 | Photo credits: Rettig & Co., Janet Moore-Coll, David Perry | Video credits: Stewart Searle of Bravi Films
© Charlottesville Opera 2025 | Photo credits: Rettig & Co., Janet Moore-Coll, David Perry | Video credits: Stewart Searle of Bravi Films